'Vagina' is an offensive word in this House! | Whose house? Our house! Whose vagina? Not yours, Mr. Speaker.
By Alexa Kolbi-Molinas
June 14, 2012
ARTICLE SOURCE: ACLU.org/blog
Apparently, things are getting a little heated out there in Lansing. Yesterday, despite massive public opposition, the Michigan House of Representatives passed an omnibus abortion bill (which we told you about here ) that could, among other things, shut down clinics that provide safe, legal abortions and end medication abortions throughout the state. Decorum was shattered. Gavels were struck. But not because lawmakers passed an extreme and dangerous law; a law that so clearly threatens the health and lives of all Michigan women. No, because Rep. Lisa Brown � that saucy minx � talked about her hoo-hah. Testifying against the bill, she told the Speaker "I'm flattered you're all so interested in my vagina, but no means no." Today, she and Rep. Barb Byrum (who reportedly shouted the word "vasectomy" out of turn) have been banned from speaking on the floor of the House.
Uh guys, I think you missed the point. Did you think no one would notice when you passed this bill? Did you see what happened in Virginia this year? Allow me to remind you: The Governor of Virginia and the state legislature pushed through an extremely controversial mandatory ultrasound law (and if you think even saying the word "vagina" in the state legislature is bad, you should see the props they pulled out for this one). The people of Virginia did not want their government to do this. The people of Virginia are now pissed off. According to a poll released this spring, voter approval for the Governor and Legislature has plummeted to new lows among both men and women and across party lines. In fact, according to the poll, this is the first time the Virginia Legislature has ever received a "negative grade" from Virginia voters. The poll also revealed that 72 percent of Virginians do not want the government using its resources to interfere with a woman's personal and private decisions about abortion. I wonder what will happen in Virginia this November.
It's not too late in Michigan, though. You can ensure this bill never becomes law. You can get back to the work you were actually elected to do. I bet no one will talk about vaginas if you do.
Transcript of what Rep. Lisa Brown said:
"Yesterday we heard from the Representative from Holland, speak about religious freedom. I'm Jewish. I keep kosher in my home. I have 2 sets of dishes--one for meat and one for dairy, and another 2 sets of dishes on top of that for Passover. Judaism believes that therapeutic abortions, namely abortions performed in order to preserve the life of the mother, are not only permissible, but mandatory. The stage of pregnancy does not matter. Wherever there's a question of the life of the mother, or that of the unborn child, Jewish law rules in favor of preserving the life of the mother. The status of the fetus as human life does not equal that of the mother.
I have not asked you to adopt and adhere to my religious beliefs. Why are you asking me to adopt yours?
And finally, Mr. Speaker, I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina, but no means no!"
|
Looks like some "religious freedoms" are more equal than others.
READ MORE in DEtroit Free Press - photos of the valient women
H1>Lisa Brown retaliates!
Lisa Brown, Michigan Lawmaker, To Help Perform 'Vagina Monologues'
June 16, 2012
ARTICLE SOURCE: HUFFINGTON POST
LANSING, Mich. -- A Michigan lawmaker barred from speaking in the state House after she used the word "vagina" during a debate on an anti-abortion bill will participate in a performance of the Tony Award-winning play, "The Vagina Monologues," on the state Capitol steps.
Michigan Democratic Party fundraiser Laura Hornshaw said Saturday in an email that Monday evening's performance was planned in response to Rep. Lisa Brown not being allowed to speak on the House floor Thursday.
Republicans who control the chamber said the West Bloomfield Democrat violated decorum Wednesday while speaking against a bill requiring doctors to ensure women aren't coerced into ending their pregnancies.
Brown told Republicans she was flattered they were "all so concerned about my vagina. But no means no."
|